England's improved results justify the new standards of discipline and team bonding introduced by Italian coach Fabio Capello, goalkeeper David James said on Sunday.

England's 2-1 win over Ukraine at Wembley Stadium on
Wednesday was their fifth successive victory in their World Cup
qualifying group and they look set for next year's finals in
South Africa.

James, 38, who has played 48 times for England, said the
team, who still have five qualifiers to play, were not surprised
at their success under Capello so far.

"We have gone in with a game plan to beat the teams we've been up against and when you come off the field and you have the victory you feel everything's been justified," he told the BBC.

"There are rules and regulations which are testing and I
don't mean that in a bad way. (Capello) obviously knows what the
winning formula is with regards to preparation and that includes
a lot of downtime in the hotel, but ultimately it is the end
performance that counts.

"It's a very Italian style which I believe Mr Capello
enforces. People have mentioned the fact the whole team sit down
for a meal and won't leave until the last person has finished
which is good, it is respect for everyone else at the table in
the team.

"It is a little rule which at first you question but in
practice it proves to bond the team. Before people would just
pop down to dinner for five minutes and go back to their room."

Interviewed on the same programme, former England boss Steve
McClaren, who now coaches Twente Enschede in the Netherlands,
said he rarely watched England's matches now.

"I tend to be looking at other games," said McClaren, who
was sacked after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

He said England in his time had been hampered by
circumstances beyond his control.

"They had the ability, they had the talent, the only thing
was injuries and suspensions, sendings off. A lack of fresh
players costs you in tournaments and that is what happened.

"We suffered with injuries in very important games,
especially towards the end."